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fectly well. I am, with the truest esteem and consideration, My dear Sir, Your faithful and affectionate friend,

"CHATHAM."

The "wan and lean" little William of the above letter, then only about eleven years of age, it is hardly necessary to remind the reader, is the same William Pitt who in little more than another eleven years was to become the leading man in the kingdom: but we must now revert to the early history of his future associate, the son of his father's friend.

It was not till 1780, nine years after his sister's marriage with Mr. Sutton, that young Henry Addington, having left Brazennose College, was entered at Lincoln's Inn Court, with a view to the profession of the Bar. The circumstance that his health at this period was hardly equal to the pace of London life, induced him to pass a large portion of his time, principally during the sporting season, at his brother-in-law's residence near Devizes. Here, by his general intelligence, his courtly manners, and his superior horsemanship, he speedily enlisted the admiring plaudits of all the "country-side;" and what was of some moment to his political aspirations, the homage also of the neighbouring Corporation. Several of Mr. Sutton's friends in the Borough would indeed have preferred him as their representative to Sir James Long; but Mr. Sutton's influence being already pledged in the baronet's favour, Mr. Addington's claims were not prominently paraded till the important election of 1784, when he was unanimously chosen, in concert with Sir James. This was the election which established the Ministry of Mr. Pitt. In the meantime Mr. Addington had married Ursula Mary, eldest daughter and co-heir of Leonard Hammond of Cheam, Co. Surrey, Esq., and was preparing to pursue with avidity the profession of the law, when the rapid ministerial changes of 1781-1783, bringing into play the opening powers of his friend William Pitt, seem to have awakened in his own breast the like ardour for political ascendancy. [These con

vulsions have already been described at page 459.] The new Ministry of Pitt had to be sustained by an entirely new set of Parliament-men; and among these, Addington at Devizes took the place of Jones. The youthful senator thus announced his success to another of his friends, Pole Carew, (afterwards a member of the privy council, and in 1796 member for Fowey.)

To Reginald Pole Carew, Esq.

"Devizes 8th or 9th of April, 1784. "MY DEAR CAREW. I received your letter this morning just before I went to the Hall, and seize the first moment on my return from it to assure you of my success. It is only alloyed by the reflexion that it will not add to the too-infrequent opportunities we have had of being together. But you must turn your thoughts elsewhere. Why should you withdraw from Parliament, my dear Carew, because your sense of what was due to your family has separated you from Sir F. B. As for our sentiments, they cannot materially differ. Sir James Long is my colleague. Our adversary [Mr. Lubbock] declined the contest, and went off early this morning for town. Affectionately yours,

"HENRY ADDINGTON."

Dr. Joseph Warton, Mr. Addington's old master at Winchester, sent his congratulations in the following form.

"Winton 27 April 1784.

"DEAR SIR. I cannot possibly forbear expressing the sincere pleasure I feel in giving you joy of being elected into a Parliament which I hope and trust will save this country from destruction, by crushing the most shameful and the most pernicious coalition that I think ever disgraced the annals of any kingdom ancient or modern. I am, dear Sir, with true regard, yours.

"JOSEPH WARTON."

Mr. Sutton of New Park died after a long illness, on the 7th of July 1801, having survived just long enough to see his brother-in-law occupying the highest ministerial office in the State. Mr. Sutton had two sons, James and George. At the christening of the first born in 1783, a fête was given on Roundway Hill to the townsfolk, when oxen were roasted whole, and booths erected for music and dancing: but the

Robert Nicholas, late of Devizes, stood for the Cricklade Hundreds, and though not returned at first, yet on petition, established his seat.

subject of so much rejoicing survived but a single year; his brother also died in infancy. Mr. Sutton's large estates have therefore descended through his eldest surviving daughter Eleanor the wife of Thomas Grimstone Bucknall Estcourt Esq. to the Right Hon. T. H. S. Sotheron Estcourt, now, 1859, M.P. for North Wilts, and a member of Lord Derby's administration.

In the course of five years from Mr. Addington's entrance into Parliament, he was chosen Speaker of the House of Commons, on the retirement of Mr. (afterwards Lord) Grenville, in 1789.1 Dr Gilpin addressing him on the subject in a congratulatory letter, regretted "that such an enlightened countenance" as nature had given him "should be shrouded in a bush of horse-hair." To the inhabitants of Devizes, the classic features of their Right Honourable Recorder are rendered familiar by the well executed bust preserved in the Council Chamber, a memorial which happens in the present case to convey a far more dignified impression than does the painted portrait by Sir William Beechy; though this also was a truthful resemblance. Another portrait, representing him in his Speaker's robes, was painted by John Copley, R.A. It remains to notice lastly the drawing on stone by Catterson Smith, which, through the courtesy of Dean Pellew, his lordship's biographer and son-in-law, has been made use of in the present History. It prefaces the third volume of Lord Sidmouth's Life, and has always been regarded, (so we are given to understand) as correctly representing him in his latter days. It is from that work that the above facts have been principally derived.

1784. James Sutton of New Park Esq. was pricked High Sheriff of the County for the ensuing year, William Salmon of Devizes attorney-at-law, being appointed his under-Sheriff. Mr. Salmon's marriage may also here find place: it was

1 Sir Gilbert Elliott a whig, was also proposed for Speaker. The votes were, for Addington 215 for Elliott 142.

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FROM A DRAWING BY CATTERSON SMITH.DRAWN ON STONE BY R

Sidmouth

LONDON JANY 1847..OHN MUPRAY ALBEMARLE ST.

MAN ANHART, LITH PRINTERS.

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